WASHINGTON, DC – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on G20 member countries to strengthen cooperation in addressing mounting geopolitical and economic challenges, saying the meeting of the world’s top foreign ministers could help set the tone for greater global stability and economic prosperity.
Speaking at the opening plenary session on Geopolitical Issues of the two-day Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Rubio stressed that countries must work together to confront growing threats to the global economic order.
The United States currently holds the G20 presidency and is using its leadership role to shape discussions around the global economic and geopolitical priorities that will influence the direction of the group.
Rubio told fellow foreign ministers that G20 countries were confronting a series of interconnected crises, many of which threaten critical foundations of the global economy.
He highlighted growing disruptions to global energy and food supplies, as well as pressures on food markets, supply chains, international trade and freedom of navigation.
“The G20 must work together to confront these threats, to strengthen our economic resilience, to safeguard our markets and the economies that they sustain,” Rubio said.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened international uncertainty, with geopolitical tensions and disruptions to strategic shipping routes raising concerns about energy security, commodity prices and the stability of global supply chains. Of particular concern is the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes.
Rubio said the challenges addressed during the Trump administration's G20 presidency were complex and closely connected, requiring coordinated responses from member countries.
“The challenge we have – the challenges we have addressed during the presidency of President Trump are multifaceted and interconnected, and the solutions must be, too,” Rubio told fellow ministers.
“Here we can help set the context for expanded geopolitical stability and the broader economic prosperity agenda that our leaders will tackle.”
The two-day meeting is being held at a hotel in midtown Atlanta, with heightened security arrangements in place for the foreign ministers and other invited dignitaries.
Rubio also underscored the responsibility of diplomats and political leaders to work collectively in responding to emerging international challenges and protecting their countries' shared interests.
He said ministers were expected to translate common interests into practical cooperation and meaningful action that would strengthen global stability and deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.
“By translating our shared interest into practical cooperation and real action, we can reinforce global stability – and more importantly, we can deliver meaningful results for our citizens.”
Turning to the agenda, Rubio outlined two key issues scheduled for discussion during the plenary session: freedom of navigation and food security.
He explained that each topic would be introduced before ministers were invited to contribute in alphabetical order, with approximately three minutes allocated to each intervention to ensure that all delegations had an opportunity to participate.
“We have a lot to cover over the next two days. Briefly, in terms of the modality – the modalities, we’re going to cover two issues in this plenary session: freedom of navigation and food security."
The discussions are expected to provide an opportunity for G20 foreign ministers to exchange views on pressing international concerns, particularly the protection of vital trade routes, food security and the need for greater cooperation in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
